Spending Flee: Why you need to walk away from certain items on which you are overspending

Budgeting and saving money is a must for the masses but often even the best intentions are plagued with a selfish demeanor and decision making regarding exactly what makes the cut when they start cutting expenses at the core. You love your cell phone and won't budge on that data plan. Your cable television is non-negotiable in your eyes; you want your movie channels and all seven versions of ESPN. That wardrobe that you continue to add to, as you see it, helps further your career and give you a professional look every time you head to the office. At a closer glance you start to see that your closet has less work clothes and more instead for play. As much as you love all of the aforementioned items and services, you don't necessarily have to bid them farewell completely but rather stop overspending. Cell phone plans and cable bills rank as some of the more ridiculously priced services. Your best bet is to bundle the plan, even if you don't use all of the services. While that advice might sound counterproductive, consider cable specifically. Adding phone and internet to your television greatly reduces the monthly charge, even if you don't plan on using that old, boring land line. In addition to cable and cell phone plans, you might want to stop overspending on things like clothing, and restaurant food as well as something as necessary and simple as medicine. Online pharmacies work wonders with not only generic alternatives but also free shipping and being able to buy in bulk at a cheaper per pill or order rate. Your time when it comes to prescriptions also is valuable so waiting in line no longer takes you away from other important things to do. Clothing is an easy fix, simply buying in the off season saves you between 50 and 70 percent off, and once you've done that for a few years you'll have quite the stunning selection in place. Sweaters in the summer and bathing suits in the fall make for an easy way to stockpile what you need without spending twice as much on those horrific markups with clothing. Finally, restaurant food is terribly overpriced but the real element of dining out isn't so much ordering the expensive food but the frequency and reasoning behind each restaurant visit. A lot of dining out is more social and chatting with friends beyond just the act of eating. Instead, eat before you head to the restaurant and order a small appetizer and modest drink. That mentality with food and the other items doesn't deprive you of what you want but rather preaches moderation over excess with the same result: getting what you want without the overspending.